Finding my P38 brakes to be a tad hard and not "servo - ish" as per my now sorned Freelander.
Does the accumulator just "die" or are there stages of demise that could cause the hardish brake feel issue ?
Brakes work well when slammed on and car stops OK, it's just the servo type feel is not there.
Accumulator pump works OK and no excessive over-run when pressing the brakes or when driving.
I'm minded to change the accumulator but I'm asking the oracles for advice and words of wisdom before saying adios to £117
2001 - P38
Thanks
Hugh
Easy check for the accumulator is to turn the ignition on and wait until the ABS pump stops. Then press the brake pedal. If you get 2 or 3 presses before the pump cuts in again, it's fine. However, if you have air in the power brake circuit (one circuit on the fronts and the only circuit to the rear) you don't get a spongy pedal like you do on a conventional system, you get a delay between pressing the pedal and the brakes coming on (as the fluid has to compress the air before moving the caliper piston)s. That also means that more fluid needs to move so the pump will cut in sooner so giving the brakes a full bleed as per the book to make sure there is no air in there would be the first thing to do.
Ah, as per the book I don't have.
I was going to use the conventional brake bleed asking a mate to press the brakes when required, or was going to go the auto bleed route via air pressure bottle.
What is the correct / advised procedure ?
At the risk of sounding like a certain other forum admin, you want to check RAVE for that:
As it's a powered system, bleeding process is completely different to a conventional jam jar, pipe and up down on the pedal method. You must follow the process correctly or you'll have no brakes at all.
Thanks for the heads up, good job I enquired before a Eezibleed was attempted.